Raymond Allen (Pete) Petersen, 83, died at his home in Hot Springs and went to be with the Lord on Jan. 22, 2010. Ray was born December 30, 1926, to Lester and Ida Petersen in Martin, SD. Ray proudly served his country during and after World War II as he performed duties in Japan and Germany. Ray married Delores Russell on December 7th of 1955. Of this union two children were born, Cheryl & Ray Jr., as well as a step daughter, Patty Bagwell, whom he treated as his own. Ray owned and operated the City Cab Co. in Pierre from 1975 until 1995. During this time Ray made friends with several people in the Pierre area. Ray was involved in a horrific vehicle collision in 1988 which nearly claimed his life. Ray persevered several years of recovery while continuing to perform his duties of driving cab. Pete was a kind man who would try to lend a hand even if he didn't have much to spare for himself.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Petersen of Pierre, SD; grandson Heith and wife Andel of Pierre, SD with children Slayte, Trae & Kayla; grandson James Petersen of Pierre with children Kiara, Violet & Cheyenne; granddaughter RaeDel Davenport and husband William of Pierre, SD with children William and Addison; granddaughter Jennifer Peterson of Pierre with daughter Whiteny; daughter-in-law Sheryl Peterson of Pierre, SD; siblings living in South Dakota, Washington, Nebraska, Missouri and Oregon, brother, Vernon Petersen, half brothers Wendel Petersen, Wayne Petersen and Danny Petersen, a step brother, Bob Frederick, brother-in-law, Gene Burlson, sisters, Lois Burlson and LaVerne Martin, half sisters, Bea Fiala, Maxine Stewart and Marian Reyes and step sisters, Ella Mae Morrison, Dorothy Riley and Lorraine Turpitt; many special nieces and nephews; a very special sister-in-law Barbara Petersen of Rapid City, SD.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Petersen; a daughter Patty Bagwell; a son Raymond Petersen Jr.; three brothers, Kenny Petersen;Eddie Petersen and Donald Petersen; a sister, Wilma Wiest; a half sister, Wanda Shannon; step brothers Ted Frederick and Leonard Frederick and a grandson Jesse Ray Petersen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2010 at Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs with Rev. Loyd Nielson officiating.

Interment will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 29, 2010, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.